Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-05-25

meeting last night.
IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
Mr.. Strauss. from the Committee on Light
said the request of several citizens for gas
lamps at the corner of Alfred and Gbton
aud at the corner of Alfred and Franklin
streets, had been favorably considered by the
committee, though in the absence of several
papers in the case, he could not report on
the matter at present.
Mr.. Smith spoke in favor Of granting the
petition, and offered a resolution to that eff
feet, which was adopted.
Some business, which elected no debate,
was then transacted.
Mr.. Strauss offered q resolution requesting
the Finance Committee to report what sum
could, in the present financial condition of
The city, be appropriated to the support of
the widow and children of the late Julian
Arnold. Mr.. S. said he offered this resolu.
ton in order that precedent should be set,
and to show that hereafter, when police.
man sacrificed his life in protecting the lives
and property of citizens, the city would do
its part toward the maintenance of those
who had been dependent upon him for sup
port.
Mr.. Smith seconded the resolution and it
was passed, after which o recess was de-.
clared, when the board was again called to
order TO consider business which had come
in from the Common Council, among which
was report from the Committee on Public
Property regarding the petition from the
American Coal Company, recommending
that the prayer of the petitioners be grant
ed aud that the wharf rented to the city by
that company be put in order
Mr.. Strauss desired information on the
subject before he could vote to concur.
tba bod
legal authority for its action-that it was
in repair duriring the period it was leased
to the American Coal Company. 1t would
cost between 81 200 and 81 500 be place the
property in order.
Mr. Burke moved that the Aldermen con-
cur, and his motion prevailed.
The ordinance imposing licenses upon
persons. &C., passed by the Common Coun.
ell. was read.
The President suggested an amendment
to the ordinance allowing persons to pay
half their tax bills on the lat of July and
half on the first day of December, and he al
lowed five per cent. discount on bills so
paid. He said the city had no actual use
for but one half of the money until the first
of January, when the interest on the debt
had to be paid while it often happened that
the taxpayer was pushed to raise the entire
amount of his taxes on the 1st Of July, hev
ing often urgent use for his money. OF
course. every Que desiring to pay all on the
latter date could do SO and have the benefit
of the ten per cent. discount allowed.
Mr.. Strauss thought the suggestion good
one, but did not know whether such an
amendment would prove practicable. That,
of course, would have to be determined by
its operation if put in force.
Mr.. Smith approved of the plan set forth
by Mr.. Downham. The interest on the
city's debt was paid on the LIST of January
and July of each year, and if taxes
could be paid i'll two instalments it would be
q relief to many. He thought such rule
was in force in Richmond. He hoped an
amendment allowing Alexandrians the same
privilege would be passed.
Mr.. Lesdbeater was rather dubious as to
the practicabiity of such Il rule. He was
afraid it would compicate the finances of
the city. New tax collectors would doub.-
less be installed in office this year, and hav.
ing double bills to handle the plan might
prove anything but beneficial. The Finance
Committee had labored assiduousy during
the past year to avoid borrowing money,
and had, so far, succeeded. There was no
surplus 10 the treasury. The speaker favor.
Cd q reduction of taxation, and the Finance
Committee had endeavored to curtail the
same, having hoped to be able this year TO
place the tax at $3.50 per 500 but they
had found later that such reduction would
he impossible. The plan proposed might
work all right, but it was not apparent 10
the speaker now. Such a rule would i'm
pose upon the Clerk of the Common Council
The duty of making out duplicate tax bills.
Mr.. Burke Didn't the committee report
surplus of $l7 900 last year p
Mr. Leadbeater-"Y sir"
Mr.. Pres it. Now the PEG
pie could have had the use of that money
Tor six months"
Mr. Smith again spoke in favor of such an
amendment
The President said he owned property in
Washington. aud when he went into the tax
collectors office to pay his bill he was inva.
iiably asked il he desired to pay half or all.
Mr.. Smith then prepared an amendment
TO the ordinance allowing bills to be liquid
ated ia two instalments-on the lst of July
and December-and the amendment was
adopted The Common Council. however,
refused to concur, and upon the ordinance
being returned the Aldermen concurred IN
the action of the lower board and referred
the whole matter to the Finance Committee
to report at meeting of Council to be held
next Friday night.
The board then adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The regular meeting of the Council was
held last night, President Eichberg in the
chair. As only twelve members were pres.
eut, unanimous consent was required for all
important measures, and it was given 10
every case.
The tax bill imposing g tax, with the
usual discounts, was passed.
When the license bill was reported it was
read the first time, and
Mr.. Suowden stated that tbs bill did not
differ from that oflast year except that there
had been reduction of tbs license of insur'
auee agents-$5 on each of the companies
represented by them.
l. IL l.. L